Wow! Here's some never before released early 70s recordings by strange folk legend Michael Hurley – playing with a group of Franklin Co., VT players in the early-to-mid 70s! The group was dubbed The Fatboys at first and went on to go by Sheriff Mocus & The Deranged Cowboys a bit later in the decade – and this set features early versions of songs that'd appear on later Hurley records – and it's really strong stuff! It's kind of in a loose, ramshackle country rock vibe that serves the material really well – without obscuring the patented Hurley uniqueness. A heck of a release on Mississippi – and real eye-opener to a Hurley era we just weren't previously hipped to! Includes "Automatic Slim & The Fatboys", "Drivin' Wheel", "Ghost Woman Blues", "Long Legs", "Long John", "Watchin' The Show", "The Portland Water", "Singing Waterfall" and more. LP, Vinyl record album

Really wonderful work from the young Michael Hurley – one of his first records to get somewhat wide exposure, thanks to the help of Jesse Colin Young, who signed Hurley up to his Raccoon label at Warner Brothers! The vibe here is right up there with some of the best offbeat acoustic work cut during that stretch at the label – not the same in sound, but not far in spirit from unique records by Steve Young, John Hartford, and others – not to mention the cooler currents from Jesse's scene too! Hurley's vocal style changes nicely to fit the mood of each tune, really bringing the most out of the sorts of lyrics that were his special stock in trade – while the guitar playing is nicely unified, and although spare, really does a great job of holding the album together. Titles include "Blue Driver", "Water Train", "The Sun Is Slowly Sinking", "I'm Worried I'm Worried", "In Florida", "Lilly Pads Upon The Pond", and "Trinidad". LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

With The Unholy Modal Rounders! LP, Vinyl record album